Ulrike Ottinger Nomad from the Lake / Ulrike Ottinger Die Nomadin vom See (2012) dir. Brigitte Kramer

The filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger has made a name for herself with her unique feature films and documentaries, such as Madame X – Eine absolute Herrscherin (1978), Bildnis einer Trinkerin (1979), Freak Orlando (1981), Johanna D’Arc of Mongolia (1989), Prater (2007) and Unter Schnee (2011). Her unusual ideas and approach are marked by subtle humour and an exalted style. Her subjects are always guided by intimate female perspectives of other worlds, whether they concern travel, history or unexpected situations. Until now there has been no film portrait of the artist. This film is about the life and work of an extraordinary woman and captures an era characterised by the emergence of women in the arts. More than any other female artist, Ulrike Ottinger enriched the film landscape of the time with surreal, original and extreme films. Director Brigitte Kramer shares Ulrike Ottinger’s hometown, Lake Constance, as well as her depiction of water as omnipresent and the desire to travel to distant places. What makes this portrait so special is this connection between the portrayer and the person portrayed. Brigitte Kramer works as a film dramaturge, director and producer of dance music and films.